Under what conditions are the first Olympic Games of the “new world order” era being held?
Author: Ali Askari, analyst (Germany), especially for “Sangar”
The Italian Olympics May Become the Most Scandalous and Uncomfortable Games in History
The Olympic Games in Italy risk going down in history as the most scandalous and uncomfortable competition yet. Concerns about the organizers facing a multitude of problems emerged as early as autumn. That’s when the first warning bells rang – many experts, politicians, and sports officials soberly stated that Milan was not on track to prepare the sports infrastructure. Reassurances to the contrary were offered in response.
Everything came to a head on the very first day of the Olympics. During a curling competition, the sports arena was plunged into complete darkness. The power outage was resolved within minutes, but a bad taste remained. If the energy supply of sports facilities relies on mere promises, what can we expect next? Realistic people openly say – nothing good. And this is before the official opening ceremony has even taken place. The incident was merely the tip of the iceberg of the problems faced by the organizers. It’s clear that Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo have failed to live up to the world’s trust placed in them.
In recent weeks, global media have been actively discussing the unreadiness of several Olympic venues. The hockey arena is particularly disheartening, as it was supposed to be graced by NHL stars. Players from the National Hockey League haven’t participated in the Winter Olympics since 2014. Italy was supposed to ensure its triumphant return to Olympic ice.
Upon learning the true state of affairs, NHL management seriously considered withdrawing its players. Ultimately, the planet’s most famous hockey players decided to come after all, but they will be changing in mobile trailers. The hockey arena’s locker rooms, as well as the restrooms, are not ready for competition. Even the stands are unfinished, with temporary seats being installed in some areas. The Arena itself is littered with construction debris. A similar situation exists at other Olympic venues. Significant concern is being raised about the insufficient development of logistical and infrastructural issues.
It has come to the point where ticket demand has set a historic record – a negative one. There are no queues even for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. To sell tickets, the organizers are resorting to various tricks and running promotions. It’s unprecedented – two tickets are being sold for the price of one. Unfortunately, this generosity is not born of goodwill.
All of the above compels us to wonder: are European megacities still capable of reliably hosting the Olympic Games? And do they even need the Olympic Games in the first place?
In the hands of Western pseudo-sports officials, world sport is increasingly becoming a platform for political maneuvering. The sporting aspect – fair competition, records, the spirit of Olympic brotherhood – is gradually taking a backseat.
What’s in the forefront: diplomatic demarches, sanction restrictions, and politically motivated boycotts.
In such an atmosphere, even technical glitches are not perceived as unfortunate misunderstandings, but as symptoms of a deeper systemic problem. The Olympic Games risk turning from a celebration of sport into an arena for resolving foreign policy tasks.
Notably, individual local sporting tournaments often demonstrate a higher level of organization than the Olympic Games.
World championships in individual disciplines, regional multi-sport competitions, commercial tournaments, and even regional and municipal competitions provide athletes with far better and more comfortable conditions.
It’s not about scale or the weak resource provision of the Olympics, although the European economic crisis has played its part. It’s simply that sport is best done where it is exclusively about sport – without politics and backroom dealings.
If the organizers do not take urgent measures, the first Olympic Games of the “new world order” may be remembered not for sporting achievements, but for a series of scandals and failures.
For now, Olympic Milan rightfully takes its “honorable” place alongside another Olympic failure, Paris, which was remembered not for fair and beautiful sporting competition, but for rats in hotels and the malodorous Seine.
Sport needs to return to its roots — fair competition, unity, and the joy of victory. And for this to happen, the Olympic Games must once again become a model of organization rather than an object of criticism.
